IDENTICAL twins Tammin Butt and Skye Turner have shared many a milestone but their bond crossed new bounds this year when a rare medical condition saw them both giving birth to baby boys, 14 weeks early.

The twins, who grew up in Hervey Bay, were overjoyed when they discovered they were both expecting, with Tammin due in June and Skye in September, but elation soon turned to panic when Tammin was diagnosed with early onset pre-eclampsia.

Within hours, Tammin was being injected with steroids and told she may have the baby that night.

"I was in complete shock ... I had never heard of it before," Tammin said

"I just kept thinking 'but he's not ready yet'."

Days later, Tammin was left with no choice but to deliver baby Jye and hope he could be saved.

For a few frightening weeks, nurses struggled to get the newborn, who at one point weighed as little as 440g, to accept food but eventually he turned a corner.

While doctors said the condition was not believed to be genetic, Tammin urged Skye to see the doctor who soon confirmed she too had developed the condition - incredibly, both babies stopped growing in the womb at exactly 22 weeks and three days - and six weeks later, she gave birth to tiny Taylan.

Unlike his slightly older cousin, Taylan has had no trouble with food but his little lungs are still struggling.

Tammin, who was allowed to take Jye home after more than three months in hospital, said the family hoped to see Taylan home with his parents within weeks.

The twins are realistic about what is to come - the common flu could prove deadly - but for now, they are just happy they are alive.